Inpatient disposition classification for the creation of hospital surge capacity: a multiphase study.
Publication/Presentation Date
12-2-2006
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The ability to provide medical care during sudden increases in patient volume during a disaster or other high-consequence event is a serious concern for health-care systems. Identification of inpatients for safe early discharge (ie, reverse triage) could create additional hospital surge capacity. We sought to develop a disposition classification system that categorises inpatients according to suitability for immediate discharge on the basis of risk tolerance for a subsequent consequential medical event.
METHODS: We did a warfare analysis laboratory exercise using evidence-based techniques, combined with a consensus process of 39 expert panellists. These panellists were asked to define the categories of a disposition classification system, assign risk tolerance of a consequential medical event to each category, identify critical interventions, and rank each (using a scale of 1-10) according to the likelihood of a resultant consequential medical event if a critical intervention is withdrawn or withheld because of discharge.
FINDINGS: The panellists unanimously agreed on a five-category disposition classification system. The upper limit of risk tolerance for a consequential medical event in the lowest risk group if discharged early was less than 4%. The next categories had upper limits of risk tolerance of about 12% (IQR 8-15%), 33% (25-50%), 60% (45-80%) and 100% (95-100%), respectively. The expert panellists identified 28 critical interventions with a likelihood of association with a consequential medical event if withdrawn, ranging from 3 to 10 on the 10-point scale.
INTERPRETATION: The disposition classification system allows conceptual classification of patients for suitable disposition, including those deemed safe for early discharge home during surges in demand. Clinical criteria allowing real-time categorisation of patients are awaited.
Volume
368
Issue
9551
First Page
1984
Last Page
1990
ISSN
1474-547X
Published In/Presented At
Kelen, G. D., Kraus, C. K., McCarthy, M. L., Bass, E., Hsu, E. B., Li, G., Scheulen, J. J., Shahan, J. B., Brill, J. D., & Green, G. B. (2006). Inpatient disposition classification for the creation of hospital surge capacity: a multiphase study. Lancet (London, England), 368(9551), 1984–1990. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69808-5
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
17141705
Department(s)
Department of Emergency Medicine
Document Type
Article